NCS4 best practices: crowd movement

Where and how fans move as well as their behavior has the potential to create incidents at every event. The better event managers understand the way their guests’ mobility patterns, the more effective planning can be. Teams plans should consider the flow patterns in and around the venue to identify manageable methods to prevent overcrowding at any location. A few approaches worth considering to better under your crowd may be to:

 Record and examine spectator arrival times, how they arrive, what they bring, etc.

 Conduct surveys of with those arriving fans, ask where they parked, how they arrived (shuttle, mass transit), how long they stood in line, etc.

 Make use of existing CCTV to follow a guest upon arrival and monitor how long it takes until they arrive at screening

By using resources that already are in place, managers will be able to better understand when and how crowds move around their venue. One key to understanding crowd movement is to first understand the space required for each person. Crowd density becomes unsafe at two individuals per square meter while in motion. By using this measurement accompanied with venue footprints it is possible to calculate the number of people that can move safely across all areas of a facility. Venues will be able to anticipate the types of crowds based on the type of event. Various areas and questions to ask in the planning stages are:

 What is the type event and why is the crowd coming to this venue?

 What is the attendee demographic?

 How will they arrive, get there?

 Does the team/performer have a large following?

 Does the team/performer/celebrity use social media to inform fans?

Some of the information the crowd management plan should address is:

 Ensure exits are marked, exit doors are operational, and all egress paths are optimized for maximum efficiency.

 Ensure fire lanes are unobstructed.

 Put in place an emergency notification plan, including how people will be notified and who will deliver the message.

 Ensure aisles and other exit routes remain clear throughout the event.

 Develop a simple training program and a checklist to be used by crowd managers.

By addressing these needs, venue managers will be able to reduce legal liability while preventing and protecting guests as well as staff from potential incidents.

For more information on the Best Practices, download the 2018 editions of the NCS4 Safety andSecurity Best Practices Guides here